Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Don’t Look Back?”

Key plot points and events

• Ella’s warning, “Don’t look back,” traps Bai Zhu in a mental or supernatural compulsion that begins forcing his head around. The Gray Crow Squad remains kneeling and strangely passive while the illusion takes hold.
• Bai Zhu’s Silver-White Tail Feather activates on its own, breaking the illusion. The apparent Ella is revealed to be a gigantic, decaying Merfolk with a golden forehead eye, Black Gold machinery, and pipelines drawing spiritual energy from imprisoned children.
• The Gray Crow Squad begins worshipping the Merfolk as their manifested “Mother,” apparently controlled or unified by its influence.
• The Merfolk uses crying children, false images of Ella, and commands to “return home” to manipulate Bai Zhu. Bai Zhu burns away attacking pipelines and destroys multiple Ella phantoms, recognizing them as imitations.
• A second supernatural presence appears: a Holy Mother Phantom holding the spiritual lights of the captive children. Sarasa appears among them and calls Bai Zhu toward her.
• The system confirms progress in the “Mother’s Embrace” series quest and unlocks “The Truth from Three Years Ago.”
• Bai Zhu moves toward Sarasa, but Milluki urgently warns that there is nothing in front of him and that he is about to step off the bridge, leaving the chapter on a cliffhanger.

Character developments

• Bai Zhu demonstrates increasing resistance to psychological manipulation. He uses humor, skepticism, his Tail Feather, Spirit Sight, and Ryujin Jakka to identify and destroy illusions.
• His confidence in the Tail Feather grows, jokingly referring to it as a “landlord” and an anti-scam device after it saves him twice.
• He remains reckless but observant, testing apparent allies and supernatural visions instead of immediately trusting them.
• Milluki becomes increasingly frantic and protective, trying to guide Bai Zhu remotely while analyzing the bridge’s illusions and warning him not to advance.
• Shalnark provides tactical analysis, identifying that the Gray Crow Squad’s Nen has been collectively altered.
• Chrollo and Uvogin react to the children’s suffering; Uvogin wants to intervene immediately, while Chrollo restrains him because children remain in danger in the outer area.
• The Gray Crow Squad shifts from attacking Bai Zhu to complete submission, chanting that their “Mother has manifested.”
• Sarasa’s appearance introduces a possible connection to the truth Bai Zhu is seeking about events from three years earlier, though it remains uncertain whether she is real or another deception.

Significant themes

• Perception versus reality: The chapter repeatedly blurs genuine people, memories, illusions, and manipulated sensory experiences.
• The danger of looking back: Turning around represents surrendering control to fear, memory, or an unseen supernatural force.
• False motherhood and exploitation: The Merfolk presents itself as a mother figure while using children as spiritual energy sources, contrasting abusive control with genuine protection.
• Memory and trauma: The repeated use of Ella and Sarasa’s appearances suggests that emotional memories can be weaponized.
• Trust and verification: Bai Zhu survives by questioning appearances and relying on evidence, while even the system’s confirmation does not completely guarantee that what he sees is safe.
• Rescue versus strategy: The heroes must balance the urge to save the children immediately against the risks of entering the illusion-filled bridge.

Character interactions

• Bai Zhu and Milluki maintain a tense but humorous comms exchange, with Milluki panicking and Bai Zhu responding with sarcasm.
• Bai Zhu dismisses the Merfolk’s false pleas and insults its repetitive tactics, showing his refusal to be emotionally controlled.
• Milluki and Shalnark argue lightly over who is providing the tactical insight, reinforcing the team’s strained but coordinated dynamic.
• Bai Zhu’s mention of Sarasa causes Chrollo to react with alarm, implying that her identity is deeply significant to the group.
• The chapter ends with the central conflict between Bai Zhu’s perception of Sarasa and Milluki’s warning that the path ahead is empty.

Chapter Summary: “Past Meteor City”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Zhu approaches an apparently empty trestle bridge, but his Spirit Sight reveals the Holy Mother Phantom and Sarasa waiting beyond it. The others, who can only see the camera feed, assume he is walking into an illusion.
• Sarasa and the children create a spiritual scroll showing Meteor City’s history:
  • It was once a prosperous city-state with broad streets, a central fountain, and a Sanctuary that protected children.
  • Kakin ships arrived carrying priests and black-gold boxes for the local nobles.
  • Kakin forces attacked the city, burned the bell tower, and buried the Sanctuary underground using black-gold nails and patterns.
  • The Holy Mother Phantom held up the collapsing Church and remained behind to protect the children.
• After the Sanctuary was buried, outsiders gradually transformed the city into a dumping ground for garbage, corpses, toxic waste, weapons, and machines. This became the Meteor City known in the present.
• Kakin later converted the buried Sanctuary into a ritual site, connecting it to underground pipelines and a fleet of ancient ships beneath the sea. Bai Zhu realizes that Kakin’s current operations may be connected to a centuries-old plan rather than merely the revival of contaminated Nen.
• The Creation Society eventually entered Meteor City under the guise of helping people. They distributed food and medicine, held prayers, and promised children relief through “Mother’s embrace.” In reality, they abducted or sacrificed the children, sending their spirits through the black-gold pipelines into the Merfolk.
• The Holy Mother’s weakened spirit could not leave the Church, but she saved some children by gathering their souls into her palm. Sarasa is among those children and now helps care for the others.
• Bai Zhu receives an Old Cathedral Candlewick, a spiritual item capable of purifying contamination and guiding the dead.
• Before Bai Zhu can use it to help the others cross the bridge, Uvogin breaks through the sealing wall in an attempt to reach Sarasa. Upon seeing her alive in spirit form, he breaks down in tears.

2. Character Developments

• Bai Zhu becomes more serious and emotionally affected as he learns the truth behind Meteor City and sees the scale of the children’s suffering. He also begins piecing together Kakin’s long-term conspiracy.
• Sarasa is revealed to be spiritually present and still retains her playful, kind personality. She continues to look after the lost children, suggesting that her compassion and sense of responsibility survived her death.
• The Holy Mother Phantom is shown not as an enemy but as a protector who sacrificed herself to preserve the Sanctuary and save as many children as possible.
• Uvogin displays unusually open vulnerability. His determination to reach Sarasa gives way to overwhelming grief when he finally sees her.
• Chrollo, Pakunoda, Nobunaga, and the others are deeply shaken by Sarasa’s presence. Their reactions reveal how important she was to the Phantom Troupe and how much unresolved grief they carry.
• Milluki and Shalnark continue their argumentative banter, but both quickly become focused on gathering evidence about Kakin’s ancient fleet and royal connections.
• The Creation Society is exposed as a manipulative organization that weaponizes charity, religion, and promises of comfort to exploit children.

3. Significant Themes

• The forgotten history of oppression: Meteor City was not naturally a wasteland; it was deliberately destroyed and abandoned by outside powers.
• Exploitation of the vulnerable: Kakin, the Creation Society, and other outside forces repeatedly use children and marginalized people for political, religious, or supernatural purposes.
• Memory and historical erasure: The erased ship names, buried Sanctuary, and transformation of the city into a dump represent attempts to conceal responsibility and suppress the past.
• Protection and sacrifice: The Holy Mother and Sarasa embody the idea of preserving compassion even after death, protecting children despite having little power left.
• Grief and reunion: The Phantom Troupe’s reactions, especially Uvogin’s tears, show that Sarasa’s memory remains central to their emotional lives.
• Truth beneath appearances: Bai Zhu’s Spirit Sight reveals realities hidden from ordinary perception, while the Creation Society’s charitable image masks horrific intentions.

4. Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu repeatedly argues with Milluki over whether the scene is real and whether his actions are safe, while Shalnark tries to provide more rational explanations.
• Sarasa communicates with Bai Zhu through the spiritual scroll and asks him to tell the Troupe that she has been doing well “with the voice acting,” a remark that immediately evokes painful memories.
• Bai Zhu relays Sarasa’s message to the Troupe, prompting grief and recognition from Chrollo, Pakunoda, Nobunaga, Uvogin, and Shalnark.
• Bai Zhu and Shalnark collaborate in identifying the ancient fleet as evidence that could expose Kakin’s royal family dealings.
• Milluki and Shalnark resume their usual bickering while discussing how to record and trace the fleet’s markings.
• Uvogin forces his way through the barrier to see Sarasa. Their brief reunion is emotionally overwhelming: Sarasa gently scolds him for being loud, and Uvogin is reduced to tears. Bai Zhu tries to lighten the moment by teasing him.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Uvogin, overcome with emotion, sees Sarasa’s spirit within the Holy Mother’s palm. She silently waves to him as she did in childhood, and Bai Zhu reassures him that she does not blame the Phantom Troupe—she had simply been waiting for them.
• As Sarasa’s spirit begins to withdraw, Uvogin tries to reach her, but the Gray Crow Squad emerges from the black water and attacks.
• Raven insults Sarasa by calling her a “stray spirit,” provoking Uvogin. Uvogin destroys half of Raven’s mask with one punch, while Nobunaga cuts off Raven’s arm and vows that the Gray Crow members will pay with their lives.
• Bai Zhu uses the Old Cathedral Candlewick to disrupt Mother’s Black Gold sound patterns, weakening the Gray Crow Squad’s control. Chrollo orders the Phantom Troupe to kill.
• The Troupe divides the enemies:
  • Uvogin brutally defeats the Lock-Sutra Giant, fueled by memories of the children the giant helped abduct.
  • Nobunaga destroys Bell Crow’s mechanical iron chest and its heart-like gears.
  • Machi traps and incapacitates the Twins with her Nen Threads.
  • Pakunoda reads the Red-Thread Woman’s memories and discovers that the Gray Crow Squad participated in the trafficking of many children, not only Sarasa’s group.
  • Chrollo stops the Red-Thread Woman when she attempts to kill herself.
• Bai Zhu investigates the Merfolk’s core and learns that it is composed of the Kakin Ritual Vessel, the Merfolk King’s body, and the ancient ships in the Black Sea. The three Main Sacrificial Ships serve as the true power source; destroying them would disable the Merfolk’s illusions, voice suppression, and regenerative abilities.
• However, a white cocoon inside the Merfolk’s core appears to contain Ella. Destroying the core directly could kill her, so Bai Zhu must sever the sacrificial ships while preserving the cocoon.
• The Gray Crow Squad is largely defeated, though Raven remains alive because Chrollo wants him captured.
• Just as Bai Zhu prepares to cut one of the ships’ anchor cables, the cocoon cracks open. A face emerges from the Black Gold Blood Membrane, taking the form of memories drawn from those present.
• Bai Zhu sees the face of a cosplayer from his life before crossing over. She addresses him directly as “Mr. Bai Zhu” and begs him not to save her, leaving him shocked and uncertain.

Character Developments

• Uvogin displays rare vulnerability, crying upon seeing Sarasa and finally confronting the grief and guilt he has carried since childhood. His sorrow quickly turns into violent determination when Raven insults her.
• Nobunaga becomes equally driven by vengeance, declaring that every member of the Gray Crow Squad must pay for their crimes. His controlled swordsmanship contrasts with Uvogin’s explosive brutality.
• Bai Zhu shifts between sarcasm and responsibility. He comforts Uvogin, coordinates the battle, uses the Candlewick effectively, and shows concern for Ella despite his frustration with the situation. His reaction to the familiar face in the cocoon reveals a deeply personal connection to his former life.
• Pakunoda uncovers the full extent of the Gray Crow Squad’s crimes. The memories affect her so strongly that she nearly turns the Red-Thread Woman’s own threads against herself.
• Chrollo remains composed and purposeful, ordering the attack and restraining the Red-Thread Woman. His reaction to seeing Sarasa suggests that the encounter affects him deeply despite his outward restraint.
• Raven remains fanatically loyal to Mother, laughing even while being beaten and insisting that Mother will reclaim the Troupe’s anger.
• Milluki and Shalnark continue their technical support and bickering, but their information proves essential to understanding the Merfolk’s structure and saving Ella.

Significant Themes

• Grief, guilt, and delayed mourning: Sarasa’s appearance forces Uvogin and the others to confront the trauma of her death and their failure to protect her.
• Vengeance versus justice: The Phantom Troupe’s attack is both revenge for Sarasa and punishment for the Gray Crow Squad’s wider crimes against children.
• Memory and manipulation: Mother’s power turns memories into weapons, forcing characters to confront emotionally painful images and personal histories.
• The cost of rescue: Saving Ella may require dismantling the Merfolk’s power without destroying the cocoon, emphasizing the danger of sacrificing one life to defeat a larger threat.
• Emotional vulnerability beneath violence: The Troupe’s brutality is shown alongside grief, loyalty, and affection, particularly through Uvogin’s tears and the group’s reaction to Sarasa.
• Past and present colliding: Bai Zhu’s vision of someone from his pre-transmigration life suggests that the supernatural system may be connected to his own unresolved past.

Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu comforts Uvogin after Sarasa waves to him, explaining that she does not blame him.
• Raven’s insult toward Sarasa triggers Uvogin’s rage, while Nobunaga joins the retaliation and promises the Gray Crow Squad will lose their lives.
• Chrollo gives the order to kill, coordinating the Troupe’s assault without personally entering the bridge.
• Pakunoda reports the Gray Crow Squad’s involvement in numerous child-trafficking operations, intensifying Uvogin’s attack on the Lock-Sutra Giant.
• Milluki and Shalnark guide Bai Zhu through the Merfolk’s weaknesses while arguing over who discovered the solution.
• Bai Zhu’s final encounter with the familiar face in the cocoon introduces a personal mystery and ends the chapter on a major emotional cliffhanger.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Zhu and the others confront the Merfolk and the Gray Crow Squad’s forces in the Black Sea. A mental illusion targets each person with something personally significant or embarrassing. Bai Zhu sees a humiliating recreation of a woman from his pre-transmigration memories, while others see Sarasa, kidnapped companions, or the Sanctuary.
• The group determines that the illusion is individualized, relieving Bai Zhu of the fear that everyone witnessed his embarrassment.
• Milluki instructs Bai Zhu to cut the anchor lines of the three Main Sacrificial Ships, which should weaken the Merfolk’s illusions and voice-based abilities before they rescue Ella.
• Instead, Bai Zhu ignores the recommended route and descends onto one of the Black Ships, suspecting that the ships conceal something more important.
• He cuts open the ship and discovers a horrifying underground chamber filled with dead and dying children. Their bodies are attached to Black Gold tubes that drain their life force and transfer it to the Merfolk, while pale golden Merfolk blood is pumped back into the ship.
• Bai Zhu uses his flames to release the remaining spiritual energy from the children, allowing them to pass on. He then proceeds deeper into the ship.
• At the bottom, he finds a Golden Blood Pool and a grotesque human-faced, horse-bodied monster. Its transparent abdomen contains developing, Nen-reactive creatures, suggesting that the children and Merfolk blood are being used to cultivate artificial Nen Beasts.
• The group theorizes that this process may be connected to Kakin’s royal family, whose inherited rituals produce Guardian Spirit Beasts. Bai Zhu suggests these experiments may have been intended to prepare such entities before the Kakin princes were born.
• The monster speaks in an ancient form of Kakin language, referring to someone as the “king’s elder brother.” A figure inside Ella’s cocoon then reveals a blood-covered hand and orders the others to bring Bai Zhu before “Mother.”

2. Character Developments

• Bai Zhu: His usual composure is briefly shattered by the personalized illusion, revealing lingering shame from his former life. Once he realizes the vision is private, he regains control. He also demonstrates his independent judgment by abandoning the safe strategy, investigating the ship, and prioritizing the larger mystery over the immediate rescue plan.
• Milluki: He remains highly analytical and monitors Bai Zhu’s condition through data. Though frustrated by Bai Zhu’s recklessness, he quickly records and interprets the monster’s language, proving essential to understanding the discovery.
• Shalnark: He acts as a tactical counterbalance to Bai Zhu, repeatedly pointing out the optimal route and later helping analyze the implications of the cultivation chamber.
• Chrollo: His attention shifts from combat to the broader connection between the ship, the Merfolk, and Kakin’s inherited Nen traditions. His recognition of the possible historical implications shows his growing interest in the mystery.
• Pakunoda, Uvogin, Nobunaga, Machi, and the others: They continue restraining or defeating the Gray Crow Squad while assisting Bai Zhu’s investigation through observations and questions. Pakunoda confirms that the lowest level was hidden even from the Gray Crow Squad.
• Ella: Still trapped inside a small cocoon attached to the Merfolk, she appears connected to the deeper mystery. The voice emerging from the cocoon is not hers, suggesting another entity may be inside or influencing it.
• The human-faced monster: It is revealed to possess intelligence, language, and knowledge connected to the Kakin royal line, making it more than a simple experimental creature.

3. Significant Themes

• Private shame and identity: The illusion exploits each character’s personal memories, emphasizing that humiliation is subjective and that private embarrassment loses its power when no one else can witness it.
• Recklessness versus strategy: Bai Zhu rejects the safest tactical plan in favor of investigating hidden truths, reflecting his tendency to pursue deeper mysteries even at personal risk.
• Exploitation and sacrifice: The dead children reveal the brutal human cost of the Merfolk and Creation Society’s experiments.
• Artificial life and inherited power: The cultivation chamber suggests that Nen Beasts, royal bloodlines, and ancient rituals may be artificially manufactured rather than purely inherited.
• Buried history: The references to Old Kakin Language and the “king’s elder brother” point toward a forgotten history involving Kakin’s monarchy and the origins of its supernatural traditions.
• Life, death, and release: Bai Zhu’s flames free the children’s remaining spiritual energy, framing death as a release from ongoing exploitation rather than merely another tragedy.

4. Character Interactions

• Milluki repeatedly questions Bai Zhu about his strange reaction to the illusion, while Bai Zhu deflects with sarcasm and insults.
• Shalnark and Milluki urge Bai Zhu to follow the planned route, but he dismisses their instructions and descends toward the ships.
• The group’s simultaneous combat and communication highlight their teamwork: the Phantom Troupe members hold off the Gray Crow Squad while Bai Zhu investigates.
• Bai Zhu’s discovery horrifies Milluki and Shalnark, while Chrollo and Pakunoda connect the evidence to earlier memories and Kakin’s history.
• Bai Zhu asks Milluki to activate the translator when the monster begins speaking, showing his reliance on Milluki’s technical expertise despite their constant bickering.
• The chapter ends with an ominous connection between the creature, Ella’s cocoon, “Mother,” and Bai Zhu, as an unknown male voice commands that he be brought before her.

Chapter Summary: Ella? No, She Was Kakin’s Second Prince

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Zhu destroys the Golden Blood Pool’s pipelines and kills the human-faced, horse-bodied monster guarding it, despite Milluki’s desire to study it.
• He refuses to immediately rescue or confront the mysterious cocooned entity aboard the Merfolk and instead searches the neighboring Black Ships for evidence.
• On the second ship, Bai Zhu discovers sealed Kakin royal records documenting the development of parasite Nen Beasts. The records reveal that:
  • Early Kakin experiments had extremely high failure rates.
  • Creation Society technology—such as the Baptismal Matrix, Holy Knight Cores, and god-blood reclamation—made the experiments viable.
  • Kakin and Creation Society were partners rather than employer and contractor.
  • Children from Meteor City were used as disposable test subjects.
• On a third ship, Bai Zhu and Milluki recover damaged film footage showing the White Cloth man delivering Holy Knight Cores to Kakin priests. The footage also reveals that Sankara’s pope survived, though he was badly injured.
• The pope and Kakin personnel argue over the importance of recovering “Royal Blood” versus protecting the god’s vessel. They escape before the harbor explosion aboard a boat bearing the First Queen’s crest.
• Bai Zhu finds a hidden archive and a combination safe. Inside is a list titled “Candidates for the Recovery of Royal Blood Lost Among the Commoners.”
• The list identifies “Ella” as Camilla Huikelo, the Second Prince of Kakin, with notes indicating a maternal baptism, royal blood retrieval, vessel transfer, and planned reception in Kakin.
• This reveals that Ella was both a victim of the experiments and a member of Kakin’s royal family. Her apparent presence at the facility was likely only an empty biological shell or “husk.”
• The cocooned entity orders the list destroyed and commands the Black Ships to awaken. Every sunken ship begins activating.
• A hidden audio recording confirms that Camilla was successfully recovered and transferred to the Kakin royal capital under the First Queen’s private escort.
• A final recording in Ella’s voice asks that, if anyone finds the facility, they tell Bai Zhu—before the recording cuts off.
• The Main Sacrificial Ship splits apart as a gigantic Black Gold hand reaches for the list, setting up the next confrontation.

Character Developments

• Bai Zhu remains ruthless and pragmatic, destroying valuable specimens and facilities when he judges them dangerous. However, he also shows a strong commitment to exposing the conspiracy and preserving evidence rather than simply burning everything.
• Milluki shifts from scientific curiosity to alarm and moral outrage as he learns the scale of the experiments. He becomes especially shocked by Ella’s true identity and fiercely protects the recovered records.
• Shalnark provides crucial analysis, linking the experimental technology to Creation Society and confirming that the evidence supports Bai Zhu’s conclusions.
• Uvogin demands that the names and crimes of those responsible be exposed, emphasizing the group’s growing desire for justice and accountability.
• Ella/Camilla is recontextualized completely. She was not merely a kidnapped civilian or pregnant test subject, but a Kakin prince whose royal blood was deliberately recovered and returned to the royal capital. Her recorded message suggests she retained her identity and wanted Bai Zhu to know what happened.
• Sankara’s pope is revealed to have survived Bai Zhu’s earlier attack, though only barely. His involvement in the royal-blood operation suggests he remains a major threat.
• The cocooned entity, apparently tied to the “Mother” or the god’s vessel, begins asserting control over the Black Ships and the experimental system.

Significant Themes

• Identity and hidden origins: Ella’s true identity overturns the group’s assumptions and demonstrates how political identity can be concealed beneath exploitation and bodily transformation.
• Royal power and exploitation: Kakin’s royal family is implicated in using vulnerable children as experimental materials while treating royal blood as a recoverable resource.
• Collaboration between political and religious forces: Kakin and Creation Society are shown to share responsibility for the Nen Beast experiments and the attempted revival of their god.
• Evidence versus destruction: Bai Zhu’s instinct is to destroy threats, while Milluki and Uvogin insist that the records must survive so the perpetrators can be exposed.
• Victimhood and complicity: Ella is simultaneously a victim of the experiments and a member of the royal family benefiting from the system that caused them.
• Awakening and escalation: The activation of the Black Ships and the growing power of the cocoon signal that the investigation is triggering a much larger supernatural threat.

Important Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu repeatedly clashes with Milluki over whether dangerous specimens should be preserved for research or eliminated.
• Shalnark supports Bai Zhu’s deductions and helps Milluki examine the records, though Milluki becomes irritated by his interference.
• Uvogin’s demand to reveal the victims’ names reinforces the group’s shared anger toward Kakin and Creation Society.
• Milluki and Bai Zhu react together to Ella’s identification, with Bai Zhu recognizing that her royal status does not erase her victimization.
• Ella’s final message creates a direct emotional connection to Bai Zhu and suggests she consciously wanted him to uncover the truth.
• The chapter ends with Bai Zhu, Milluki, and the others facing the awakened Black Ship system as it attempts to reclaim or destroy the evidence.

Chapter Summary: “Trying My Full Strength Now”

Key Plot Points and Events

• A giant Black Gold hand attacks Milluki as he escapes the collapsing Main Sacrificial Ship with stolen evidence. Bai Zhu cuts through the hand with Ryujin Jakka, burning away its regenerating tendons.
• The ship activates its Secondary Destruction Formation and begins to sink. Black Gold spikes and cables attack the group, seeking the documents and list Milluki has taken.
• Bai Zhu carries both Milluki and Shalnark out of the collapsing ship, even rescuing one of Milluki’s document cases. They escape onto the transparent trestle bridge just before the ship breaks apart.
• The survivors of the Gray Crow Squad are assessed: Uvogin has defeated the Lock-Sutra Giant; Bell Crow’s machinery is destroyed; Machi has restrained the Twins; and Pakunoda has extracted memories from the Red-Thread Woman.
• Chrollo orders the group to leave one enemy alive. Uvogin spares Raven, who reveals that the list is ultimately useless because “Mother” will reclaim all evidence, souls, and bones when she awakens.
• The Black Sea erupts as the sunken ships illuminate and fill the area with children’s cries and the Creation Society’s prayers. The Merfolk undergoes a major transformation, revealing a pulsing Black Gold Core and connecting itself to the remaining ships and the Old Cathedral.
• Milluki proposes following their original strategy: cut the anchor lines of the three Main Sacrificial Ships to weaken the Merfolk’s sound patterns and illusions.
• Instead, Bai Zhu decides to test the maximum power he can use without relying on his usual “cheating.” He prepares Ryujin Jakka for a massive, controlled attack.
• Hisoka and Illumi sense the danger from the edge of the rupture. Milluki desperately attempts to establish a Safe Zone, while Raven mocks Bai Zhu’s ability to overcome the ancient Black Sea.
• As Bai Zhu pours immense Reiatsu into his blade, the flames compress inward, the sword darkens, and the bridge beneath it glows red. The Black Sea abruptly falls silent, ending the chapter on the brink of Bai Zhu’s attack.

Character Developments

• Bai Zhu demonstrates overwhelming combat ability and remains calm amid the disaster, but his confidence and tendency to improvise continue to alarm everyone. He now seeks to measure his full strength directly rather than simply relying on conventional tactics.
• Milluki proves highly capable of identifying and preserving valuable evidence, but his greed and attachment to the documents repeatedly endanger him. Despite his panic, he contributes strategically by identifying the anchor-line weakness and preparing a Safe Zone.
• Shalnark remains observant and tactical, quickly recognizing the ship’s destruction formation and the urgency of escaping. He also becomes another target of Bai Zhu’s impatient rescue methods.
• Chrollo stays detached and pragmatic, managing the group’s priorities and accepting that the battlefield may collapse before they can fully investigate it.
• Uvogin shows restraint by sparing Raven when Chrollo suggests he may still be useful, despite his usual preference for direct brutality.
• Raven becomes increasingly fanatical, speaking as a vessel for “Mother” and insisting that all souls and evidence will eventually return to the Black Sea.
• Machi continues to exercise precise control over the battlefield, restraining both the Twins and silencing Raven with Nen Threads.
• Hisoka and Illumi observe from a distance, both recognizing that Bai Zhu’s coming attack may be exceptionally dangerous.

Significant Themes

• Knowledge versus survival: Milluki treats the stolen records as equal in value to his own life, emphasizing his obsession with information even during an immediate catastrophe.
• Control versus recklessness: Bai Zhu insists he can control his power, while everyone around him remembers his previous destructive “accidents” and doubts him.
• The persistence of buried history: The Black Sea, sunken ships, preserved evidence, and “Mother’s” promise to reclaim everything suggest that the past cannot truly be destroyed.
• Fanaticism and possession: Raven and the Creation Society view death and the Black Sea as a return home, contrasting with the protagonists’ desperate struggle to escape.
• Escalation of ancient power: The Merfolk’s transformation and the awakening of its Black Gold Core signal that the conflict has moved beyond ordinary combat into a larger supernatural crisis.

Important Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu repeatedly mocks and physically handles Milluki, while Milluki angrily protests his treatment and distrusts Bai Zhu’s improvisation.
• Milluki and Shalnark bicker after both are carried to safety, with Milluki accusing Shalnark of criticizing him despite also needing rescue.
• Chrollo directs Uvogin to spare Raven, showing the Phantom Troupe’s willingness to preserve even a dangerous enemy for useful information.
• Raven’s threats provoke Milluki, who challenges the apparent contradiction between the cult’s claim that the list is useless and their attempt to seize it.
• Milluki tries to restrain Bai Zhu’s planned attack, while Bai Zhu calmly insists that the danger is under control.
• Machi silently supports the group by stitching Raven’s mouth shut, preventing him from interrupting Bai Zhu’s preparation.
• Hisoka and Illumi independently recognize the immense danger gathering around Bai Zhu, reinforcing the sense that the next attack may dramatically change the battle.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Zhu unleashes Ryujin Jakka’s “Blazing Hell”, a devastating sword technique that causes dozens of pillars of fire to erupt throughout the underground Black Sea.
• The attack destroys the three sacrificial ships, severs the Black Gold pipelines, damages the Merfolk’s core, and cuts off the Mother’s voiceprint network. The ritual site and surrounding structures begin collapsing.
• Bai Zhu’s power nearly empties his Reiatsu, leaving him weakened and unable to extinguish the flames. Despite this, he casually evaluates the attack’s destruction radius, frustrating Milluki.
• The group begins a desperate retreat through collapsing tunnels. Uvogin smashes through falling debris, Nobunaga cuts apart stone pillars, and Machi uses her Nen Threads to rescue people, wounded allies, and valuable data crates.
• Shalnark collects surviving fragments of the Black Gold Core, leading to a comedic argument with Milluki over ownership of the research materials.
• Illumi and Hisoka finish destroying the remaining Holy Knights in the outer passage before the escaping group reaches them.
• As the tunnels collapse, the Holy Mother Phantom appears and holds back the falling earth. The spirits of the rescued children help guide the survivors toward safety.
• Sarasa calls to Uvogin, urging him to run. Her appearance deeply affects him, and Nobunaga forces him to continue instead of staying behind.
• Bai Zhu thanks the Holy Mother Phantom while holding the Old Cathedral Candlewick. She then disperses, and the entire underground Black Sea, cathedral, ritual site, and shipwrecks are buried.
• The survivors escape moments before the collapse. Milluki confirms that the list survived, while Shalnark secretly keeps the core fragments.
• Chrollo criticizes Bai Zhu for nearly killing everyone with his attack, and Illumi warns that compensation will be demanded. Bai Zhu dismisses the destruction as an “accident.”

Character Developments

• Bai Zhu demonstrates overwhelming destructive power and impressive swordsmanship, but also reveals his reckless, show-off nature and poor concern for collateral damage. His Reiatsu depletion leaves him vulnerable, forcing him to flee rather than fight.
• Milluki remains intensely protective of his research list and materials, prioritizing them even during the escape. His exasperation with Bai Zhu grows, though he still contributes to the group’s survival.
• Shalnark displays opportunism by salvaging Black Gold fragments and bargaining over them while the group is in danger.
• Uvogin is emotionally shaken by Sarasa’s spirit and initially wants to stop, showing a rare moment of vulnerability beneath his usual aggression.
• Nobunaga acts decisively and protectively, forcing Uvogin to keep moving and helping maintain the group’s momentum.
• Machi continues to serve as a practical rescue force, using her threads to protect the wounded, prisoners, and supplies.
• Chrollo remains composed and strategic, directing the retreat while recognizing the danger of Bai Zhu’s abilities.
• Illumi and Hisoka maintain their detached, dangerous personalities. Illumi focuses on survival and later threatens Bai Zhu with compensation, while Hisoka is amused by the chaos and interested in Bai Zhu’s weakened aura.
• The Holy Mother Phantom completes her apparent final act of protection, sacrificing herself to hold back the collapsing underground structure and allow the group to escape.

Significant Themes

• Power and responsibility: Bai Zhu’s spectacular attack succeeds tactically but causes massive collateral destruction, emphasizing the danger of uncontrolled strength.
• Survival amid chaos: The chapter centers on a frantic escape in which every character must rely on others to survive.
• Sacrifice and protection: The Holy Mother Phantom and the children’s spirits give their remaining strength to save the living, while the group also risks itself to protect the wounded, prisoners, and valuable information.
• Grief and remembrance: Sarasa’s appearance reminds Uvogin and the others of their past and the people lost, adding emotional weight to the escape.
• Comedic relief: Arguments over stolen research fragments, Bai Zhu’s casual attitude, and his exchanges with Milluki and Illumi contrast with the otherwise catastrophic situation.
• Teamwork among unstable allies: The Phantom Troupe, Bai Zhu, Milluki, Illumi, and Hisoka cooperate temporarily despite distrust and hostility.

Character Interactions

• Milluki repeatedly berates Bai Zhu for destroying the dungeon, while Bai Zhu responds with calm jokes and technical assessments of his attack.
• Shalnark and Milluki quarrel over the Black Gold fragments, turning the emergency evacuation into a mock negotiation.
• Nobunaga physically and emotionally pushes Uvogin to leave Sarasa behind, understanding that her final wish is for him to survive.
• Chrollo criticizes Bai Zhu after the escape, while Bai Zhu refuses to take responsibility beyond calling the destruction an accident.
• Illumi insults Bai Zhu through a threat of financial compensation, prompting Bai Zhu to pretend the weather is more interesting.
• Hisoka shows interest in Bai Zhu’s weakened condition, but Illumi prioritizes escape and prevents further confrontation.

Chapter Summary: Meteor City’s Finale, the Hunter Association Calls

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• After the destruction of the Black Gold Cathedral, Meteor City is left with a massive crater, scattered Merfolk husks, defeated Holy Knights, and ruined evidence from the Creation Society’s operation.
• Bai Zhu, Illumi, Milluki, Shalnark, and the Phantom Troupe gather the surviving evidence:
  • Kakin Royal Family experiment records
  • Transfer routes and lists of missing Royal Blood
  • Black Gold samples and cores
  • Proof of cooperation between Kakin and the Creation Society
• Three pages of transfer records are missing, and Shalnark identifies several incomplete entries. The remaining information reveals another transfer point in Meteor City’s outer garbage belt.
• Pakunoda reads Raven’s memories. She learns that Grey Raven transported people to the outer transfer point, where First Queen-affiliated private soldiers took over.
• Raven is captured alive for further interrogation. Although Uvogin wants to kill him, Chrollo insists that the Troupe’s score has not yet been settled.
• The Phantom Troupe leaves Meteor City with Raven and the recovered documents. Uvogin briefly asks Bai Zhu whether the cathedral’s candlelight will return; Bai Zhu explains that it will reappear when faith is restored.
• Bai Zhu considers warning Chrollo about the Kurta tragedy but decides against interfering. He believes the Troupe is still too consumed by Sarasa’s death and revenge, and that this world’s fate cannot be easily changed.
• Milluki suggests that Bai Zhu accompany the Zoldycks back to Kukuroo Mountain. He offers food, shelter, equipment, and the chance to repair and decode the stolen records. Bai Zhu agrees after hearing that Killua needs “education.”
• Illumi continues calculating Bai Zhu’s debts for the destruction, mission interference, damaged evidence, and extra Nen Nail usage, repeatedly treating him as a debtor rather than a guest.
• Just as they prepare to leave, Bai Zhu receives a call on a Hunter Association temporary communication channel. The chapter ends when an unknown person asks whether he is Bai Zhu, setting up the next arc, “Tracing Ancient Ruins.”

2. Character Developments

• Bai Zhu remains evasive, money-conscious, and comically unwilling to accept responsibility, but he also shows compassion and restraint. He avoids claiming credit for the victory, protects the others during the battle, and chooses not to interfere with the Phantom Troupe’s future.
• Illumi maintains his cold, literal demeanor while methodically charging Bai Zhu for every perceived expense. His unusual statement that Bai Zhu caused him “mental distress” becomes a running joke, highlighting their strange relationship.
• Milluki proves highly practical and possessive regarding the recovered evidence. He values the records for their black-market worth and negotiates successfully to bring Bai Zhu home by appealing to his greed, curiosity, and interest in Killua.
• Shalnark continues to behave like a thief even while assisting with evidence collection, provoking Milluki’s distrust and creating playful friction between them.
• Chrollo remains controlled and calculating. He preserves Raven’s life for information and refuses to end the Troupe’s revenge prematurely.
• Pakunoda is visibly shaken while handling the Kakin documents and reading Raven’s memories, suggesting the emotional weight of the Troupe’s discoveries.
• Uvogin displays his usual aggression but also reveals a rare solemnity when asking about the return of Meteor City’s sacred candlelight. His brief gratitude toward Bai Zhu shows a more reflective side.
• Nobunaga acts as Uvogin’s restraint, repeatedly preventing him from killing Raven or causing unnecessary damage.
• Hisoka remains amused by the group’s conflicts and shows interest in Bai Zhu’s planned interaction with Killua, though Illumi warns that Killua is not suitable for him.

3. Significant Themes

• Evidence and truth: The recovered files expose connections between Kakin’s royal family, the Creation Society, and the trafficking of Royal Blood, carrying major political and financial implications.
• Faith and restoration: Bai Zhu’s explanation about the candlelight suggests that Meteor City’s spiritual symbols depend on renewed belief, linking physical recovery to communal faith.
• Revenge versus restraint: Chrollo and Uvogin remain committed to settling old scores, while Bai Zhu recognizes that the Phantom Troupe is not ready to abandon its cycle of vengeance.
• Fate and intervention: Bai Zhu reflects on whether he can alter the Troupe’s future, ultimately deciding that he lacks both the closeness and the power to redirect their destiny.
• Debt and transactional relationships: Illumi’s accounting turns Bai Zhu’s actions into financial liabilities, humorously contrasting with genuine loyalty and friendship.
• Survival through opportunism: Milluki’s evidence-hoarding, Bai Zhu’s evasiveness, and the Zoldycks’ negotiations all emphasize practicality and self-interest in a dangerous world.
• Transition to a new adventure: The close of the Creation Society storyline gives way to the Hunter Association’s mysterious call and the upcoming ancient-ruins investigation.

4. Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu and Milluki bicker constantly over the stolen evidence, with Milluki guarding it from both Bai Zhu and Shalnark.
• Bai Zhu and Illumi maintain a hostile but cooperative dynamic, defined by Illumi’s debt collection and Bai Zhu’s attempts to escape payment.
• Shalnark’s casual theft jokes provoke Milluki’s suspicion, while Bai Zhu observes and mocks their quarrel.
• Uvogin’s desire to kill Raven is repeatedly restrained by Nobunaga and Chrollo.
• Pakunoda’s memory reading provides the Troupe with crucial intelligence, while Chrollo directs the interrogation.
• Bai Zhu and Uvogin share a rare sincere exchange about Meteor City’s candlelight before the Troupe departs.
• Bai Zhu chooses not to confront Chrollo about the Kurta clan, reflecting his emotional distance from the Troupe despite their shared battle.
• Milluki recruits Bai Zhu by promising access to Zoldyck resources and the opportunity to “educate” Killua. Illumi approves of the need to discipline Killua, while Hisoka’s curiosity prompts Bai Zhu to exclude him.
• The final Hunter Association call interrupts the group’s departure and launches the next storyline.

Chapter Summary: “Money Is Daddy”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Zhu receives a call from an unidentified Hunter Association representative who has read Morel’s report about him.
• The caller praises Bai Zhu’s bravery, survival skills, leadership, and willingness to enter dangerous areas. Bai Zhu rejects this description, insisting that he dislikes taking risks.
• The caller invites Bai Zhu to participate in an investigation. Bai Zhu initially refuses because he wants a vacation after his recent ordeal.
• He changes his mind immediately when the caller offers reimbursement for transportation, food, lodging, and equipment, followed by a generous daily commission paid personally by the caller.
• The mission’s details are deliberately withheld. Bai Zhu is told to report to Hunter Association headquarters within a week, wait two days, and complete special admission procedures before joining the investigation.
• The conversation reveals that Bai Zhu, Milluki, Illumi, and Hisoka have recently destroyed an underground factory in Meteor City and recovered valuable account books. The incident has attracted the Association’s attention.
• Morel asks Bai Zhu to preserve a sample connected to the Sea Lord rather than selling everything. Bai Zhu tries to hide this request, but the others become suspicious.
• Bai Zhu reveals a massive section of the Black Gold Horn. Milluki immediately recognizes its value and claims a refined seven- or eight-meter piece for himself.
• Bai Zhu keeps the larger remaining portion for Morel, explaining that Morel suffered heavy losses during the mission and deserves compensation.
• Bai Zhu prepares to leave for Association headquarters. Milluki plans to return home to upgrade his equipment, restore film, decode the recovered lists, and prepare a bill for Bai Zhu’s share of the mission’s losses.
• Illumi intends to accompany Milluki home and continue tracking Bai Zhu’s debts. Hisoka expresses interest in visiting the Association as well, but Bai Zhu rejects the idea.

2. Character Developments

• Bai Zhu: Although he claims to dislike danger, his actions show that he repeatedly takes major risks to protect others and complete missions. His strongest motivation is financial compensation, and he rapidly shifts from reluctance to enthusiasm once payment is mentioned. He is evasive about valuable loot, but ultimately shows fairness by reserving part of the Black Gold Horn for Morel.
• Milluki: He acts as a practical, money-minded partner who constantly challenges Bai Zhu’s excuses. He is protective of the recovered documents and eager to obtain valuable technology and materials. Despite mocking Bai Zhu, he recognizes the dangers of traveling with him and refuses to join the new mission.
• Illumi: He remains calm and methodical, tracking Bai Zhu’s debts and recording financial obligations. His detached comments make Bai Zhu increasingly anxious, but he also helps ensure that the spoils and expenses are properly accounted for.
• Hisoka: He is amused by the group’s arguments and particularly interested in the new mission and the Black Gold Horn. His presence adds an unsettling, playful tone, though Bai Zhu treats him as an inappropriate nuisance.
• Morel: Though absent, Morel influences the chapter through his report, his recommendation of Bai Zhu, and his request for a Sea Lord-related sample. His losses during the previous mission motivate Bai Zhu to share the treasure with him.
• The unidentified Association representative: He is patient, persuasive, and skilled at exploiting Bai Zhu’s weaknesses—especially his greed and pride. He uses Morel’s report to provoke Bai Zhu and successfully recruits him through financial incentives.

3. Significant Themes

• Money as motivation: Bai Zhu’s willingness to accept danger depends almost entirely on payment. The chapter humorously treats compensation as more persuasive than courage, honor, or adventure.
• Debt and obligation: Bai Zhu is surrounded by financial claims, reimbursements, bills, and creditors. Illumi’s constant accounting turns their relationship into a running source of pressure and comedy.
• Risk versus self-image: Bai Zhu insists that he dislikes danger, yet his history proves that he willingly enters hazardous situations to rescue others and complete objectives. His words and actions sharply contradict each other.
• Trust and hidden information: The Association representative withholds important mission details, while Bai Zhu hides the Sea Lord sample. Nearly everyone suspects that someone else is concealing valuable information.
• Fairness amid greed: Although the group is highly focused on profit, Bai Zhu chooses to give Morel part of the Black Gold Horn because Morel suffered losses and contributed to the mission. This suggests that Bai Zhu’s selfishness has limits.
• Comedic contrast: Serious matters—dangerous investigations, destruction, debt, and valuable artifacts—are treated through sarcastic banter and exaggerated reactions.

4. Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu and the Association representative engage in a verbal battle, with the caller calmly exposing Bai Zhu’s reckless behavior and Bai Zhu responding with sarcasm and insults.
• Milluki repeatedly challenges Bai Zhu’s claims that he dislikes risk and mocks how quickly he accepts the mission once money is offered.
• Illumi intensifies Bai Zhu’s financial anxiety by reminding him that any profits must first go toward debt repayment.
• Bai Zhu, Milluki, Illumi, and Hisoka form a chaotic but effective group: Milluki handles valuable materials, Illumi tracks finances, Hisoka observes with amusement, and Bai Zhu tries to control everyone while hiding information.
• When the Black Gold Horn appears, Milluki’s greed and Bai Zhu’s possessiveness create a brief conflict. Bai Zhu allows him only a small portion and reserves the rest for Morel.
• The chapter ends with Bai Zhu attempting to escape further financial scrutiny while Illumi and Milluki continue planning to hold him accountable.

Chapter Summary: “No, I’m Not”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Zhu decides not to go to Kukuroo Mountain, prioritizing his paid Hunter Association work over Killua’s “little chicken” problem.
• He leaves Meteor City in a heavily modified car provided by Milluki. Milluki warns him not to damage it and gives him a communicator so Bai Zhu can access Association data remotely.
• After five days of travel, Bai Zhu reaches the city containing Hunter Association headquarters. He is struck by the chaotic variety of Hunters, creatures, criminals, and bizarre missions gathered there.
• Bai Zhu checks into a hotel using his Hunter License and learns that his employer has prepaid seven days in a premium suite, including unlimited meals, coffee, and tea. Delighted, he immediately takes advantage of the benefits.
• A system panel reveals several regional achievements connected to the Association headquarters. Although he initially intends to rest, Bai Zhu goes exploring to earn achievement points.
• He discovers three hidden commission boards:
  1. A dangerous ancient-ruin expedition.
  2. A mission involving giant swamp frogs.
  3. A black-market request concerning Creation Society samples.
• The third board also contains a cleanup job in the Association’s old archives, but Bai Zhu rejects it after noticing the warning about parasitic insects.
• Bai Zhu completes the exploration achievement and earns three points, later accumulating seventy-five points through casual activities.
• Three Hunters confront him about Morel’s report describing his role in the Sea Lord pollution incident. Bai Zhu denies being the person they are looking for and exaggeratedly credits Morel, leaving the Hunters confused.
• Other Hunters continue discussing Bai Zhu’s reputation, especially his habit of lingering at the free coffee machine.
• That evening, Milluki contacts Bai Zhu. Milluki appears exhausted and surrounded by equipment and data, suggesting that important work or trouble is developing.

Character Developments

• Bai Zhu: Demonstrates his practical, money-conscious, and opportunistic personality. He values paid work, free lodging, food, and coffee, but is also cautious about dangerous missions. He deliberately downplays his abilities and avoids publicity, preferring to benefit quietly from the Association’s resources.
• Milluki: Shows both possessiveness over his customized car and a strong dependence on Bai Zhu’s access to Association information. His exhausted appearance during the final communication implies that he has been working intensely on a larger investigation or technical task.
• Illumi: Appears briefly as an efficient observer, recording potential repair costs in his notebook and contributing to the family’s intimidatingly pragmatic dynamic.
• The other Hunters: Their interest in Bai Zhu’s reported achievements establishes that his actions during the Sea Lord incident have already become known within the Association, even if the details are disputed.

Significant Themes

• Practicality versus heroism: Bai Zhu repeatedly chooses money, comfort, and professional obligations over dramatic or dangerous adventures.
• Reputation and misinformation: The Hunters have heard conflicting versions of Bai Zhu’s role in the Sea Lord incident, while Bai Zhu actively encourages them to believe he contributed little.
• The absurdity of the Hunter world: The Association is portrayed as a chaotic marketplace where endangered creatures, criminals, unusual commissions, and eccentric professionals coexist.
• Reward-driven exploration: Bai Zhu’s system turns ordinary sightseeing into a game-like search for achievements, blending survival, work, and entertainment.
• Caution beneath humor: Though Bai Zhu jokes constantly, he carefully assesses risks and refuses missions involving long-term danger or unknown parasites.

Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu and Milluki exchange sarcastic insults over the modified car, with Milluki accusing Bai Zhu of lacking ethics and Bai Zhu defending himself as a professional.
• Bai Zhu irritates Milluki by driving away and covering him in dust, then pretends the communicator has a bad signal to avoid responding.
• At the Association, Bai Zhu tries to buy a foul-mouthed bird after it insults him, revealing his petty but humorous temperament.
• He outmaneuvers the three Hunters questioning him by agreeing with their doubts and praising Morel instead of defending himself.
• Bai Zhu silently listens as nearby Hunters speculate about him, choosing free coffee over correcting their assumptions.
• The chapter ends with Milluki contacting him, creating a transition from Bai Zhu’s comedic exploration of headquarters to a likely plot development involving Milluki’s research.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Milluki reports that the Black Gold sample is far more dangerous and complex than ordinary material. It preserves fragments of memory and reacts strongly to Nen, blood, and Bai Zhu’s mysterious power. After Bai Zhu cuts it, the sample becomes significantly more stable.
• Milluki also partially restores a list connected to Camilla’s recovery route, confirming that it leads toward Kakin’s royal capital. Several names remain damaged or erased, leaving the investigation incomplete.
• Bai Zhu refuses to pursue Camilla immediately and distracts himself by playing an online game with Milluki. Their discussion turns into comedic arguing over dungeon strategy, with Bai Zhu eventually falling asleep mid-game.
• The next morning, Bai Zhu receives a call from his employer, who reveals himself to be Ging Freecss. Bai Zhu is alarmed by Ging’s reputation and immediately considers backing out of the assignment.
• Ging explains that Bai Zhu’s use of the Hunter Association’s temporary clearance, hotel room, and complimentary services means the commission has already begun. Backing out would require Bai Zhu to return the advance payment and pay a processing fee.
• Before Bai Zhu can continue negotiating, Ging reveals that he is already outside the hotel room. He destroys the door and physically drags Bai Zhu away to begin the mission.
• Bai Zhu protests that he is still in pajamas, has not checked out, eaten, or brushed his teeth. When Ging mentions that they are going to inspect some “ruins,” Bai Zhu realizes the assignment is likely far more dangerous than advertised.
• The chapter ends with Bai Zhu being forcibly taken along while loudly complaining about violent labor practices at the Hunter Association.

Character Developments

• Bai Zhu remains sarcastic, evasive, and practical. He is intrigued by the Black Gold investigation but deliberately avoids becoming involved in the potentially dangerous Kakin-related mission.
• His fear of the Freecss name reveals that he understands Ging’s reputation and associates him with unpredictable, high-risk adventures. Despite his resistance, Bai Zhu is ultimately motivated—or trapped—by financial consequences.
• Bai Zhu’s interactions also emphasize his resourcefulness and stubbornness: he tries to negotiate, stall, change the subject, and physically resist, but none of these tactics work against Ging.
• Milluki continues serving as the technical and analytical specialist. He identifies the Black Gold’s abnormal properties and helps reconstruct the damaged information about Camilla. His argumentative relationship with Bai Zhu develops through their playful gaming rivalry.
• Ging Freecss is introduced as confident, manipulative, cheerful, and physically overwhelming. He exploits bureaucratic rules to prevent Bai Zhu from withdrawing and treats the dangerous expedition as a casual outing.

Significant Themes

• Danger hidden beneath ordinary activities: The Black Gold appears to be a material but contains memories and reacts to supernatural forces, suggesting deeper historical or Nen-related significance.
• Loss of control and forced involvement: Bai Zhu repeatedly tries to maintain control over his choices, but contracts, finances, and Ging’s actions force him into the mission.
• Comedy amid danger: Technical research, potential royal conspiracies, and ruin exploration are contrasted with gaming arguments, sleepiness, and complaints about breakfast and clothing.
• Trust and manipulation: Ging’s friendly tone masks his coercive behavior, while Bai Zhu recognizes that dealing with him is inherently dangerous.
• The unknown past: The memory-retaining Black Gold and the damaged list connected to Camilla hint at buried information that may become central to future events.

Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu and Milluki have a teasing but cooperative partnership. Milluki criticizes Bai Zhu’s reckless gaming habits, while Bai Zhu mocks Milluki for becoming emotionally invested in the game.
• Their conversation about Black Gold establishes Milluki as the researcher and Bai Zhu as the dangerous but essential “pre-processing tool.”
• Bai Zhu and Ging immediately develop an adversarial dynamic. Bai Zhu attempts to challenge Ging’s authority and negotiate his way out, but Ging responds with legal technicalities, humor, and overwhelming force.
• Ging’s casual treatment of the ruined hotel door and dangerous expedition sharply contrasts with Bai Zhu’s constant practical objections, creating the chapter’s central comedic tension.

Chapter Summary: “This Landlord Is Suspicious”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ging Freecss forcibly recruits Bai Zhu for a Hunter mission, first making him clean up and then presenting the job details.
• Bai Zhu objects to dangerous assignments involving ruins, tombs, missing persons, royal families, the Dark Continent, and similar threats. Ging reveals that the mission concerns a newly formed oasis in the western desert of the Mingbo Republic.
• The oasis appeared suddenly in a region that had been dry and lifeless for decades. It contains a lake, forests, unexplained buildings, and possible magical beasts.
• Two expedition teams have disappeared. The first consisted of seventeen people; the second, backed by military guards, transmitted only a few seconds of disturbing footage before losing contact.
• Ging explains that the Association suspects either an ancient magical beast or an unusual Nen phenomenon. A Magical Beast Hunter who merely picked up a feather near the oasis became ill and began imitating bird calls, repeatedly saying only “rent.”
• Photographs reveal feather carvings, a one-eyed bird emblem, and a tower shaped like a hollow tree rising from the lake. A blurry image shows a huge one-eyed creature resembling Bai Zhu’s former “Landlord.”
• Bai Zhu admits he once rented a tree hollow from a similar creature at sea, though he insists they had only a tenant-landlord relationship and no formal contract.
• A system notification identifies the Mingbo Oasis as a high-risk unknown area, possibly connected to the Dark Continent or ancient ruins, and assigns Bai Zhu an exploration objective concerning the tower.
• The warning “Do not wake the thing in the tree” is found written in blood inside a stone gate.
• The chapter ends when birds gather around the hotel, stare at Bai Zhu in unison, and repeatedly chant “Rent,” confirming that the oasis’s phenomenon—or the Landlord itself—has somehow noticed him.

Character Developments

• Bai Zhu remains cynical, cautious, and highly resistant to danger. He repeatedly tries to reject the mission, but his connection to the Landlord and the Silver-White Tail Feather makes him uniquely important.
• His humorous complaints about contracts, fees, and “rent” conceal genuine unease. The Landlord’s appearance causes him to become visibly serious, especially when his feather reacts to the photograph.
• Bai Zhu demonstrates useful knowledge of magical creatures, correctly identifying that the bird-like entity is neither an ordinary bird nor clearly a Nen Beast.
• Ging is shown as persistent, perceptive, and deliberately economical with information. He recruits Bai Zhu because of his abilities and his connection to the mysterious feather, while withholding crucial details until Bai Zhu is already involved.
• Ging’s casual attitude toward danger contrasts with Bai Zhu’s survival-minded caution. He also displays broad Hunter expertise and encourages Bai Zhu to expand beyond his registered Marine Hunter specialization.

Significant Themes

• Suspicion and hidden information: Ging’s incomplete explanations and Bai Zhu’s distrust create tension, suggesting that the mission is more dangerous than officially acknowledged.
• Contracts, debt, and ownership: The repeated jokes about door repairs, mission expenses, rent, and cancellation fees become ominous when the supernatural birds demand payment.
• The unknown and forbidden exploration: The oasis represents an unexplored region containing ancient structures, possible Dark Continent connections, and an entity that may be dangerous simply to awaken.
• Identity and connection: Bai Zhu’s apparent past relationship with the Landlord links him personally to the mystery, while the feather acts as a supernatural signal or key.
• Comedy masking danger: Bai Zhu’s sarcasm provides humor, but the increasingly direct signs of the Landlord’s influence reveal that the situation is genuinely threatening.

Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu and Ging argue throughout the chapter, with Bai Zhu protesting the mission and Ging physically and verbally steering him toward cooperation.
• Their exchanges establish a comedic but tense dynamic: Ging is confident and manipulative, while Bai Zhu is reluctant, practical, and quick with sarcasm.
• Ging uses Morel’s report and Bai Zhu’s supernatural feather to justify selecting him for the mission.
• Bai Zhu challenges Ging’s assumptions about his abilities and mocks Ging’s reputation, even joking that Ging looks like “the protagonist’s dad.”
• The final interaction shifts from verbal comedy to supernatural intimidation when the birds address Bai Zhu directly with the word “Rent,” leaving him to wonder whether quitting the mission would incur a cancellation fee.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• A strange flock of birds surrounds Bai Zhu and Ging’s hotel room, all chanting “Rent” in unison. The birds are apparently collecting a debt Bai Zhu owes the mysterious Landlord for spending a night in a tree hollow.
• Bai Zhu confirms that he also used the silver-white Tail Feather given to him by the Landlord, likely incurring a service fee. The Landlord’s supernatural debt collection causes him considerable anxiety.
• Ging remains calm and opens the window slightly, arguing that Bai Zhu must confront his obligations rather than hide. Eventually, only one bird remains and clearly warns Bai Zhu: “Still owed.”
• After the birds leave, normal life resumes outside, though their presence has caused bird droppings, public confusion, and possible reports of an anomalous incident.
• Ging shows Bai Zhu a photograph of a strange black One-Eyed Bird perched on a tower. Bai Zhu notices that its appearance differs sharply from his silver-white Landlord and suspects a connection to the Soul King’s Pen.
• Ging reveals that others are waiting at a Hunter Association temporary meeting room. Bai Zhu reluctantly agrees to go after learning that refusing would leave him responsible for the handling fee.
• The pair travel through an underground Association passage filled with chaotic research and containment work, including fire-breathing Beetles and a dispute over whether an ancient inscription describes ritual sacrifice or microwave instructions.
• Bai Zhu becomes interested in applying for a logistics position after seeing the Association’s neglected emergency supplies, especially when he learns the role may involve equipment access and possible reimbursement. Ging drags him onward to the meeting.
• The chapter ends as they arrive at a meeting room where several people are already gathered.

Character Developments

• Bai Zhu is shown to be financially anxious, practical, and highly sensitive to waste and unreimbursed expenses. Despite his fear of the Landlord and supernatural threats, he is easily distracted by possible employment benefits and logistics work.
• His suspicion deepens regarding the black One-Eyed Bird, particularly because of its apparent connection to the Tail Feather and the Soul King’s Pen. He is increasingly convinced that Ging’s involvement is unlikely to be harmless.
• Ging Freecss remains fearless, irreverent, and opportunistic. He treats supernatural danger and financial consequences casually, encourages Bai Zhu to face problems directly, and appears comfortable manipulating situations to get him involved in the mission.
• Ging also demonstrates a practical, observant side: he recognizes that hiding from the debt will not solve it and has already checked them out of the hotel, charging the broken door to the mission budget.

Significant Themes

• Debt and obligation: The supernatural rent collection mirrors Bai Zhu’s broader tendency to become entangled in favors, artifacts, and missions with hidden costs.
• Courage versus recklessness: Ging argues that fear is acceptable but must not prevent clear judgment, contrasting his composed attitude with Bai Zhu’s panic.
• Hidden connections and ominous mysteries: The black One-Eyed Bird’s resemblance to—or possible relation with—the Landlord and Soul King’s Pen suggests a larger supernatural plot.
• Bureaucratic absurdity: The Hunter Association combines dangerous anomalies with incompetent procedures, financial disputes, careless supply management, and bizarre workplace arguments.
• Practical survival: Bai Zhu’s focus on reimbursement, equipment, and stable employment provides comic relief while emphasizing his grounded approach to an increasingly abnormal world.

Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu and Ging’s relationship is defined by exasperated dependence: Bai Zhu distrusts Ging and blames him for financial losses, yet follows him because Ging controls access to the mission.
• Ging repeatedly teases and provokes Bai Zhu, while Bai Zhu responds with sarcasm and complaints about debt, damage costs, and employment conditions.
• The birds act as supernatural creditors, turning Bai Zhu’s past favor from the Landlord into an immediate source of pressure.
• The Association workers’ arguments highlight the institution’s chaotic culture and provide a humorous contrast to the ominous mystery surrounding the black bird.

Chapter Summary: “I’m Applying to Be a Logistics Hunter Now”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Zhu joins a Hunter Association meeting concerning the mysterious Mingbo Oasis, where a previous expedition team has disappeared.
• He meets the operation’s team members: Satotz, Razor, List, Dwun, and Piyu, immediately recognizing several of them as important or familiar figures.
• List reveals Bai Zhu’s classified assessment as a “high-risk” individual, prompting Bai Zhu to protest and nearly leave. Ging convinces him to stay.
• Bai Zhu discovers that his temporary authorization and hotel registration secretly bound him to the mission, including rescue responsibilities. He feels deceived but becomes more willing to participate after learning the Association provides good food and reimbursable amenities.
• The team outlines the mission:
  • Satotz will investigate the ruins.
  • Razor will provide combat and long-range support.
  • List will manage intelligence and routes.
  • Dwun will coordinate the team.
  • Bai Zhu is expected to investigate the anomaly and assist with rescue efforts.
• Piyu notices that Bai Zhu’s Tail Feather synchronizes with the image of the One-Eyed Bird Emblem, suggesting a significant connection between Bai Zhu and the anomaly.
• The team learns that the Mingbo military will seal the Oasis after seven days. A reconnaissance team’s monitoring devices suddenly broadcast the same unsettling message: “Send in those who owe rent.”
• The message causes everyone to focus on Bai Zhu, who jokes that he would rather become a logistics hunter and avoid the dangerous mission.

Character Developments

• Bai Zhu: Maintains his sarcastic, self-protective attitude and tries to avoid danger, responsibility, and suspicion. However, his curiosity and practical concerns—especially food, showers, and reimbursement—gradually make him more cooperative. His Tail Feather’s reaction to the emblem hints that he is deeply connected to the central mystery.
• Ging: Demonstrates his manipulative but effective leadership by concealing mission conditions within Bai Zhu’s authorization paperwork. He remains confident and amused by Bai Zhu’s complaints.
• Satotz: Appears highly respectful and enthusiastic toward Ging, clearly admiring him. He is positioned as the team’s knowledgeable ruins specialist.
• Razor: Is introduced as intimidating and combat-oriented. His quiet presence and controlled handling of steel balls establish him as someone Bai Zhu considers dangerous.
• List: Is precise, unemotional, and devoted to accurate intelligence. He bluntly classifies Bai Zhu as high-risk and refuses to soften inconvenient facts.
• Dwun: Is easygoing and good-natured despite his poor hygiene and strange ability to influence the atmosphere. He attempts to mediate conflicts within the group.
• Piyu: Initially quiet and absorbed in her phone, but becomes intensely interested in Bai Zhu’s Tail Feather after detecting its connection to the One-Eyed Bird Emblem.

Significant Themes

• Hidden obligations and manipulation: Bai Zhu’s mission responsibilities are concealed in bureaucratic paperwork, emphasizing how institutions can control people through technicalities.
• Suspicion versus trust: Bai Zhu is treated as a potential threat, while he distrusts the Association and Ging’s methods. The team must nevertheless rely on his unexplained abilities.
• Humor amid danger: Bai Zhu’s complaints about showers, food, rent, and logistics contrast with the ominous expedition, creating comic relief while highlighting his fear and reluctance.
• Mystery and supernatural connection: The Tail Feather’s synchronized reaction to the One-Eyed Bird Emblem suggests Bai Zhu’s unexplained powers are tied to the Oasis anomaly.
• Found-family/team dynamics: Though the group initially appears mismatched, their varied skills form a functional expedition team, with each member filling a specialized role.

Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu clashes with List over being labeled high-risk but depends on the information List provides.
• He jokes with Dwun about his hygiene, while Dwun responds calmly and tries to reduce tension.
• Satotz’s admiration for Ging is obvious, contrasting with Bai Zhu’s skepticism of Ging’s manipulative behavior.
• Ging repeatedly controls Bai Zhu’s choices, turning his protests into reluctant cooperation.
• Piyu investigates Bai Zhu’s Tail Feather, creating the chapter’s most significant supernatural interaction.
• The final broadcast causes the entire team to look toward Bai Zhu, reinforcing his central—and possibly personal—connection to the Oasis mystery.

Chapter Summary: “No-Fly Zone”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Zhu tries repeatedly to avoid joining the mission to investigate the mysterious oasis in the western Mingbo Republic, even offering to work as temporary headquarters staff instead. However, the team reminds him that his contract is binding and that withdrawing would cost him ten times the commission.
• The monitoring station receives a disturbing message specifically requesting “the one who owes rent” and “the one with feathers stuck in his head,” confirming that the mysterious anomaly somehow knows Bai Zhu’s identity and recognizes his Silver-White Tail Feather.
• The team boards an Association airship bound for Mingbo’s capital. Bai Zhu complains throughout the journey but brings several breakfasts, revealing his reluctant yet practical nature.
• Milluki contacts Bai Zhu after learning about the mission. He becomes intensely interested in the newly appeared oasis, the One-Eyed Black Bird, and the ancient ruins. After examining mission photographs and data, he notices similarities between the feather symbols and the energy patterns associated with Black Gold, suggesting that the two phenomena may have interacted.
• Milluki covertly researches routes to the oasis despite claiming he will not come. Ging anticipates his involvement and plans to register him as a temporary technical consultant, while Bai Zhu insists that Milluki’s access should be restricted because he may be unable to resist investigating the ruins’ artifacts.
• The team reviews two possible approaches to the oasis. They reject aerial entry after learning that drones lose control at roughly three hundred meters and that pilots have reported seeing a giant eye behind the clouds. The mission must therefore proceed from the ground.
• Piyu asks Bai Zhu to examine photographs of ancient writing. When he looks at one inscription, his system warns him that it retains “Naming properties” and is a severe contamination source. He warns Piyu not to read it aloud.
• Piyu then shows him a handwritten note labeled “Gatekeeper.” The feather on Bai Zhu’s head becomes hot, implying that the note is connected to him.
• As the airship enters Mingbo airspace, a one-eyed black bird appears outside the window and stares directly at Bai Zhu and Piyu. Bai Zhu sees it clearly, but Piyu appears unable to perceive it.

Character Developments

• Bai Zhu: Continues to act lazy, evasive, and sarcastic, but his reactions show growing awareness that he may be personally linked to the oasis and its ancient writing. His system’s warnings and the feather’s responses suggest he may be a “gatekeeper” or key figure. Despite his complaints, he contributes useful observations and shows concern for Milluki’s safety.
• Ging: Demonstrates strong leadership and experience in handling difficult personnel. He manipulates Bai Zhu into joining the mission and prepares for Milluki’s likely involvement.
• Piyu: Moves from playful curiosity to serious caution when Bai Zhu warns her about the dangerous inscription. Her investigation of the feather symbols suggests she suspects Bai Zhu is connected to the ruins.
• Milluki: Becomes fascinated by the oasis and its technology, displaying his characteristic obsession with data and artifacts. His analysis provides the first possible link between the new ruins, the feather patterns, and Black Gold.
• List, Satotz, Razor, and Dwun: Help establish the mission’s professional structure. List handles records and permissions, Satotz emphasizes preserving evidence and avoiding reckless force, Razor focuses on the dangers of the proposed routes, and Dwun attempts to ease the team’s anxiety.

Significant Themes

• Inescapable destiny: Bai Zhu’s attempts to avoid the mission fail because the anomaly already seems to know and specifically summon him.
• Dangerous knowledge: The ancient writing is not merely historical; reading it can cause contamination or activate “Naming” properties.
• Technology versus the unknown: Modern drones, aircraft, databases, and analytical tools prove unreliable against the oasis’s supernatural defenses.
• Identity and recognition: The messages, the feather, the “Gatekeeper” label, and the black bird all suggest that Bai Zhu’s identity is tied to the ruins.
• Humor amid danger: Bai Zhu’s complaints and banter with the team provide comic relief while highlighting the increasingly serious threat.

Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu exchanges sarcastic arguments with Ging, Piyu, and the mission team as he tries to escape his obligations.
• Milluki and Bai Zhu trade insults while Milluki’s excitement about the ruins grows; Bai Zhu simultaneously mocks and worries about him.
• Ging and List plan to limit Milluki’s access, while Bai Zhu enthusiastically supports the restrictions.
• Piyu tests Bai Zhu with the ancient inscriptions, and their interaction becomes tense once his system identifies the text as dangerous.
• The chapter ends with Bai Zhu and Piyu sharing the sight of—or rather, failing to share the sight of—the ominous black bird, suggesting that Bai Zhu has access to information or perception unavailable to others.

Chapter Summary: “What Is Pride Worth?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• During the airship journey to the Mingbo Republic’s capital, Bai Zhu sees a mysterious black, one-eyed bird outside the porthole. Piyu cannot see or photograph it, suggesting that the creature may be supernatural or connected specifically to Bai Zhu.
• The bird appears to react to Bai Zhu’s Silver-White Tail Feather, taps on the window, and then disappears without attacking. Bai Zhu compares it to the Landlord but suspects it is exhausted and damaged.
• Piyu jokingly claims she is interested in Bai Zhu, while Bai Zhu insists she delete the information she has saved about him. Their teasing establishes a playful but increasingly familiar relationship.
• After landing, the group encounters a crowded capital filled with military vehicles, caravans, Hunters, reporters, and preparations for an expedition to the Western Oasis.
• Bai Zhu tries to avoid attention by pretending to be a food-delivery worker, but Ging pushes him along and admits he is worried Bai Zhu might escape.
• At the exploration permit hall, Bai Zhu is distracted by the free tea and pastries. His shamelessly practical attitude clashes with List’s concern for appearances, leading to the chapter’s central question: “What is pride worth?”
• List submits the team’s extensive authorization documents, but a local official deliberately obstructs their permit application. The official cites Bai Zhu’s incomplete records, the team’s foreign members, and undisclosed abilities as excuses for requiring further “coordination.”
• The surrounding Hunters reveal that this official routinely delays visiting teams until they pay bribes.
• The official then targets Bai Zhu’s age and inexperience, criticizing the Hunter Association for bringing a sixteen-year-old novice into a dangerous region and implying that the team is using him to pad his résumé.
• Bai Zhu quietly puts down his cookie, while Piyu notices the change in his mood and watches to see how he will respond.

Character Developments

• Bai Zhu: Demonstrates heightened sensitivity to supernatural beings through his encounter with the black bird and the reaction of his Tail Feather. He remains sarcastic, food-motivated, and wary of authority, but the official’s insult about his age begins to provoke a more serious reaction. His refusal to pretend to have dignity—summed up by “What is pride worth?”—reflects both his practicality and his rejection of social expectations.
• Piyu: Becomes more openly curious about Bai Zhu and his unusual experiences. She researches the One-Eyed Giant Bird and finds records connecting it to local folklore, showing her investigative instincts. Her attention to Bai Zhu’s emotional shift suggests growing interest and concern.
• Ging: Continues to behave in a suspiciously cheerful and controlling manner. He keeps Bai Zhu close, openly acknowledging that Bai Zhu is unusual and might try to disappear.
• List: Acts as the organized, responsible member of the team. He handles the paperwork calmly and attempts to use international agreements and official authorization to challenge the local bureaucracy.
• The local official: Reveals himself as a petty and possibly corrupt bureaucrat who exploits procedural authority to pressure outsiders, then shifts to insulting Bai Zhu when paperwork alone is insufficient.

Significant Themes

• Pride versus practicality: List believes the team should maintain dignity and follow proper procedures, while Bai Zhu values tangible benefits such as food and refuses to perform respectability for others. The chapter questions whether pride is useful when confronted with hunger, bureaucracy, or power.
• Corruption and abuse of authority: The permit official uses regulations selectively to delay expeditions and solicit bribes, showing how institutions can be manipulated by petty officials.
• Prejudice toward youth and outsiders: Bai Zhu is dismissed because he is sixteen, inexperienced, foreign-linked, and poorly documented, regardless of his actual abilities.
• The supernatural hidden beneath ordinary life: The invisible black bird and references to the One-Eyed Giant Bird suggest that local folklore may reflect real creatures or forgotten supernatural forces.
• Identity and perception: Only Bai Zhu can see the bird, emphasizing his unusual nature and hinting that his connection to the Tail Feather may be deepening.

Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu and Piyu exchange sarcastic remarks about the bird, ghosts, curiosity, and her interest in him, creating a teasing dynamic with hints of growing familiarity.
• Ging treats Bai Zhu like a troublesome but valuable liability, physically steering him through the capital and admitting he does not trust him to remain with the group.
• List and Bai Zhu contrast sharply: List focuses on permits, reputation, and procedure, while Bai Zhu focuses on snacks and practical survival.
• Bai Zhu and the permit official become the center of tension when the official attacks his age and legitimacy. Bai Zhu remains outwardly quiet, but his decision to put down the cookie signals that the insult has struck a nerve.
• Piyu silently observes Bai Zhu’s reaction, suggesting that the confrontation may reveal a more serious or volatile side of him.

Chapter Summary: “So Lively”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Zhu, Ging, List, and the others visit a government hall to obtain an urgently needed permit.
• When the official delays the process and threatens to call security, Bai Zhu intimidates him by partially unsheathing Ryujin Jakka. The sword’s heat shatters the windows, drives back the guards, and begins melting the service counter.
• The frightened official rapidly stamps and issues the permit, reducing a process that normally takes hours or days to only three minutes.
• Bai Zhu proudly calls his method efficient and argues that the mission should reimburse him for the intervention and the damaged government property.
• The group then prepares to register at the military supply station and board their transport to the Western Supply Line.
• At the airfield, Bai Zhu is relieved that Milluki has not appeared, believing his presence would create dangerous complications.
• A private bounty team, led by a man called Old Scar, departs for the same destination. A photograph reveals that they have identified Bai Zhu as their target, referring to him as “the one with feathers stuck in his head.”
• The chapter ends as the survey team is called aboard the airship, suggesting that the expedition will soon become even more dangerous.

Character Developments

• Bai Zhu demonstrates both overwhelming power and a growing confidence in using it. He views direct intimidation as the fastest solution to bureaucratic obstacles, though he remains comically concerned about reimbursement and repair costs.
• His relationship with Ging becomes more familiar and teasing. Ging recognizes Bai Zhu’s effectiveness while also gently mocking his lack of subtlety.
• Bai Zhu reveals concern for Milluki, disguising his worry by calling him a “reserve creditor.” This implies that he considers Milluki a friend despite refusing to admit it openly.
• Satotz reassesses Bai Zhu’s danger level, recording that he can serve as an “emergency breakthrough operative.” Bai Zhu dislikes being classified this way, but the assessment confirms how formidable he has become.
• Piyu recognizes that Morel may have underestimated Bai Zhu’s abilities, particularly the destructive potential of Ryujin Jakka.
• List remains practical and disciplined, managing the paperwork and limiting Bai Zhu’s attempts to take snacks.
• Old Scar emerges as a new threat, carefully observing Bai Zhu and choosing to wait until the group reaches the wilderness before attacking.

Significant Themes

• Efficiency versus proper procedure: Bai Zhu rejects bureaucracy, believing force is more effective than patience or politeness. The scene satirizes institutional delays and his extreme response to them.
• Power and restraint: Bai Zhu could have attacked directly, but he deliberately uses controlled heat to frighten the official without killing anyone. His restraint is limited but significant.
• Hidden loyalty and friendship: Bai Zhu’s concern about Milluki exposes emotional attachments he refuses to acknowledge openly.
• Reputation and misclassification: The Hunters’ reactions show that Bai Zhu is difficult to categorize. His abilities do not resemble ordinary Nen, leading others to reassess him as a dangerous and valuable asset.
• Escalating danger: The expedition is no longer merely a survey mission. Rival bounty hunters are tracking Bai Zhu, and the wilderness is presented as the place where open conflict will begin.

Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu and Ging: They exchange sarcastic remarks about the permit, reimbursement, and Bai Zhu’s increasingly practical understanding of mission expenses. Ging treats him with amused familiarity.
• Bai Zhu and the official: Bai Zhu uses Ryujin Jakka to force the official to act, turning a bureaucratic dispute into a one-sided confrontation.
• Bai Zhu and List: List handles the official paperwork while Bai Zhu claims credit for speeding things up. Their snack negotiation highlights their contrasting personalities.
• Bai Zhu and Satotz: Satotz formally evaluates him, while Bai Zhu complains about the unflattering description and demands a better one.
• Bai Zhu and Piyu: Bai Zhu jealously warns Piyu not to “look” at his sword, treating Ryujin Jakka as though it were his wife.
• Bai Zhu and Ging regarding Milluki: Ging notices Bai Zhu’s relief at Milluki’s absence and probes their relationship, but Bai Zhu avoids admitting that he cares about him.
• Old Scar’s group: They identify Bai Zhu as their target and decide to postpone their attack until the team leaves the capital, establishing the next major source of conflict.

Chapter Summary: “Milluki, What the Hell Are You Doing Here?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Zhu and the investigation team arrive by airship at the Western Supply Line, a military camp bordering a rapidly expanding desert oasis.
• The oasis contains Lakeheart Tower, a mysterious structure in the middle of a lake. Its surrounding forest is growing at an abnormal rate, and the entire area expands a little more every day.
• Bai Zhu notices that the lake resembles a giant open eye, triggering the heating of the Silver-White Tail Feather on his head. He immediately avoids looking at the area, convinced that something there is watching or rejecting him.
• The team reports to the military supply station, which is crowded with equipment, medical tents, military personnel, and numerous Hunter teams preparing to enter the dangerous zone.
• Ging, Satotz, Razor, and Dwun go to the command tent to review the military handover and operational details. Piyu chooses to stay behind with Bai Zhu, mainly because she finds observing him more entertaining than reviewing records.
• Bai Zhu relaxes beside his enormous duffel bag, complains about the camp’s limited water rations, and argues with Piyu over her repeated attempts to photograph or record him.
• Bai Zhu suddenly spots Milluki Zoldyck supervising logistics near a supply truck. He is shocked and furious because he had previously warned Milluki not to come.
• Milluki explains that he came because the situation seemed interesting, though he claims he will not enter the oasis’s core zone.
• Bai Zhu pulls him aside and reveals that he saw “Black Landlord” from the airship. Milluki’s casual attitude disappears, establishing that the name carries serious significance and ending the chapter on a cliffhanger.

Character Developments

• Bai Zhu: Remains anxious, sarcastic, and highly alert to supernatural danger. Despite his lazy behavior and constant complaints, he is protective of others, especially Milluki, and immediately confronts him for recklessly entering the danger zone. His reaction to the lake and his statement about Black Landlord suggest he possesses unusual sensitivity to the oasis’s threat.
• Milluki: Appears confident and self-important when first introduced, treating the expedition like an exciting opportunity. However, his expression changes when Bai Zhu mentions Black Landlord, revealing that he understands the seriousness of the threat.
• Piyu: Continues to tease and observe Bai Zhu, repeatedly trying to photograph or document him. She is curious, amused by his reactions, and chooses his company over official military briefings.
• Ging and the investigation team: Act professionally and focus on gathering military intelligence before entering the oasis. Ging organizes the group efficiently, while Satotz, Razor, and Dwun prepare to assess the situation.
• The military and Hunter teams: Their large presence demonstrates the scale of the operation and the dangerous zone’s attraction to experienced Hunters.

Significant Themes

• Curiosity versus caution: Many Hunters are drawn to the oasis despite its obvious danger. Milluki embodies reckless curiosity, while Bai Zhu emphasizes the need to stay away.
• The unknown and surveillance: The eye-like lake, Bai Zhu’s feather reacting, and the mention of Black Landlord create an atmosphere of being watched by an intelligent, possibly supernatural force.
• Professional danger treated casually: The crowded supply station resembles a tourist attraction despite the threat of aircraft being brought down and the oasis expanding. This contrast highlights the Hunters’ tendency to pursue danger for excitement, knowledge, or profit.
• Protectiveness beneath humor: Bai Zhu’s jokes and complaints conceal genuine concern. His anger toward Milluki comes from fear that Milluki will be harmed.
• Information as power: The military records, observation equipment, Piyu’s documentation, and Bai Zhu’s firsthand sighting all emphasize the importance—and potential danger—of gathering information about the oasis.

Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu and Piyu exchange constant sarcastic remarks, particularly over her photographing him and his reluctance to participate in the investigation.
• Ging assigns team members to different tasks, demonstrating his leadership and the group’s organized approach.
• Bai Zhu confronts Milluki dramatically, warning him that the oasis is not a harmless adventure and that Milluki’s safety would be difficult to guarantee.
• Piyu follows Bai Zhu and Milluki to observe their argument, treating the confrontation as another entertaining subject for documentation.
• The chapter closes with Bai Zhu revealing his sighting of Black Landlord, causing Milluki to react with sudden seriousness.

Chapter Summary: “I’ve Become an Easy Target?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Zhu warns Milluki not to approach the mysterious magical beast near the Oasis. He emphasizes that it is unlike ordinary creatures, possibly powerful enough to rival the Landlord, and worries that Milluki would be helpless if it attacked.
• Milluki argues that, despite being a technology specialist, he is still a professional Hunter and refuses to remain behind the lines. He lists the extensive equipment, personnel, backup power, communication systems, and military connections he brought for the expedition.
• Piyu enthusiastically supports Milluki while mocking Bai Zhu’s laziness and tendency to focus on reimbursements and avoiding work.
• Bai Zhu establishes strict restrictions for Milluki inside the Oasis: he cannot enter the core area, act independently, or touch unknown objects—especially antiques, Stone Gates, black feathers, or anything capable of speech.
• Milluki admits he has not yet decoded the Black Gold sample or the obscured list because both contain deliberately misleading information. However, he came quickly because ruins may contain valuable antiques, creating the possibility of making a fortune.
• Milluki reveals a bounty posted on an underground black-market board targeting Bai Zhu. The bounty seeks either his capture alive or confirmation of the source of his mysterious abilities.
• Based on the bounty’s wording and the aftermath of the Meteor City incident, Milluki suspects that Kakin and/or the Creation Society placed the bounty.
• Bai Zhu realizes that various bounty hunters and mercenaries at the camp are watching him. The chapter ends when a new argument erupts elsewhere in the camp.

Character Developments

• Bai Zhu: Though initially motivated by concern for Milluki, Bai Zhu becomes visibly protective and irritated by Milluki’s recklessness. He also shows his greedy, opportunistic side when he realizes the ruins may contain valuable antiques. Learning that he is being hunted first provokes anger rather than fear, and he recognizes that his enemies have mistaken his lack of family backing for weakness.
• Milluki: Milluki demonstrates unexpected seriousness and courage. He refuses to be treated as merely a remote technician and insists on participating directly as a Hunter. His preparation, resources, technical abilities, and family connections show that he is highly capable, even if he is physically vulnerable and prone to complaining.
• Piyu: Piyu acts as an amused observer and provocateur, encouraging Milluki while teasing Bai Zhu. Her habit of recording personal details for “work material” adds humor, but also shows her attention to team dynamics and intelligence gathering.
• The bounty hunters and mercenaries: Their cautious behavior reveals that Bai Zhu is already being monitored, even though they avoid confronting him openly.

Significant Themes

• Underestimation and vulnerability: Bai Zhu is targeted because he appears to be the easiest member of the Meteor City group to attack: newly licensed, without powerful family protection, and relatively unknown.
• Strength beyond combat: Milluki argues that preparation, technology, logistics, and intelligence are also forms of strength. The chapter challenges the idea that only physically powerful Hunters are useful in dangerous situations.
• Trust and concern: Bai Zhu’s harsh warnings toward Milluki conceal genuine concern, while Milluki recognizes this concern but refuses to let it define or limit him.
• Greed and danger: The promise of valuable antiques tempts Bai Zhu and Milluki even as the Oasis contains unknown magical threats and hidden political dangers.
• Information warfare: The corrupted list, strange Black Gold data, bounty notice, and surveillance at the camp all emphasize how incomplete or manipulated information shapes the expedition.

Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu and Milluki clash over Milluki’s decision to join the front lines, combining genuine concern with insults and competitive banter.
• Milluki counters Bai Zhu’s criticism by highlighting his professional Hunter status and superior logistical preparation.
• Piyu sides with Milluki and mocks Bai Zhu, leading to a playful but tense three-way exchange.
• Bai Zhu attempts to impose mission rules on Milluki, prompting comparisons to Milluki’s relationship with Killua.
• Milluki reveals the bounty and explains why Bai Zhu, rather than the stronger or better-connected participants, has become the primary target.
• The group’s joking tone shifts toward danger when Bai Zhu notices the surrounding hunters watching him and an argument suddenly breaks out.

Chapter Summary: How Did I Become a Dungeon Ticket?

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Zhu discovers that the camp is watching him because a major bounty has been placed on him. Hunters, mercenaries, and bounty teams are tracking him due to his connection to the Black Gold incident, the Oasis, and the mysterious One-Eyed Bird.
• Piyu reports that the Old Scar Bounty Team is stationed near abandoned oil wells, strategically positioned to block an approach to Oasis while avoiding military attention.
• Milluki explains the bounty structure:
  • A low-level reward for confirming Bai Zhu’s location.
  • A mid-level reward for identifying the source of his abilities.
  • The highest reward for capturing him alive and recovering the Black Gold sample, the list, the film, and any other unusual materials he possesses.
• The bounty appears to be funded by powerful forces, possibly the First Queen of Kakin’s private army or remnants of the Creation Society. Bai Zhu’s capture may also grant access to Oasis or priority exploration rights, making him effectively a “dungeon ticket.”
• Milluki officially joins the investigation as a temporary technical consultant, though he is placed under strict supervision because of his dangerous abilities and history of unauthorized hacking.
• The investigation convoy sets out toward Oasis with two armored vehicles, a supply truck, and a communications vehicle. Bai Zhu travels alongside Piyu and Milluki, both of whom monitor him closely.
• At a break in the old highway, the convoy encounters the Old Scar team. Although Old Scar initially pretends to seek cooperation, his group launches an ambush using cryogenic bombs, talisman-covered alloy nets, and paralytic needles.
• The attackers declare that they only want Bai Zhu. The chapter ends as the capture net tightens around the vehicle and Bai Zhu prepares to draw his sword.

Character Developments

• Bai Zhu: Becomes increasingly frustrated by the attention and the bounty on his head. He tries to maintain his humor and confidence, but his unease grows as he realizes he is being treated as both a valuable target and a potential key to Oasis. His joking remarks about being “discounted pork” and a “dungeon ticket” reveal his anxiety beneath the sarcasm. Despite the ambush, he remains composed and ready to fight.
• Milluki: Demonstrates extensive technical knowledge, explaining how he recovered data from the Black Gold sample and damaged film during the Meteor City incident. He is boastful and easily flattered by Piyu, but also highly competent. His temporary consultant status places him under official scrutiny, and his ability to shrink equipment confirms that he is a powerful and unusual asset.
• Piyu: Continues gathering intelligence and recording information about both the bounty and the team. She teases Bai Zhu while treating him as an important source of data. Her curiosity about the Meteor City incident brings out Milluki’s bragging.
• Ging: Shows that he anticipated Milluki’s arrival and deliberately allows him to remain under Association supervision. He is cautious about Milluki’s danger level and maintains firm control over the expedition.
• List: Acts as a strict administrator, imposing clear restrictions on Milluki and managing the expedition’s route and logistics.
• Old Scar: Presents himself as polite and cooperative but reveals his true intentions through the ambush. He views Bai Zhu as a valuable target rather than a person.

Significant Themes

• Being reduced to a commodity: Bai Zhu’s identity is overshadowed by the bounty and the valuable information and materials connected to him. His description of himself as a “dungeon ticket” emphasizes how others see him as a means of entering or exploiting Oasis.
• Trust and hidden motives: The apparent offer of cooperation from Old Scar masks an attack, reinforcing the danger of relying on friendly appearances in a competitive expedition.
• Power and surveillance: Bai Zhu is constantly watched by Hunters, bounty teams, Piyu, and Milluki. Even within the Association convoy, he feels less like a teammate and more like a monitored specimen.
• Humor amid danger: Banter between Bai Zhu, Milluki, and Piyu provides comic relief while also revealing their familiarity and contrasting personalities. Their jokes coexist with increasingly serious threats.
• The value of forbidden knowledge: The Black Gold, the Meteor City evidence, the Oasis, and the One-Eyed Bird are all linked to hidden powers and competing factions seeking control of dangerous information.

Important Character Interactions

• Bai Zhu and Piyu exchange sarcastic remarks about his distinctive appearance and bounty status, while Piyu openly studies him.
• Milluki boasts about his technical achievements during the Meteor City incident, prompting Bai Zhu to remind him that he had to physically carry Milluki out of danger.
• Bai Zhu and Milluki argue humorously over Milluki’s cowardice and vomiting during their previous escape, revealing their combative but familiar relationship.
• Ging and Milluki interact as a wary supervisor and a troublesome but valuable specialist. Ging assigns Milluki a restricted consultant role, while List formalizes the limitations.
• During the highway encounter, Old Scar attempts to intimidate Bai Zhu. Bai Zhu responds with confidence, claiming he has “a lot of firepower,” escalating the tension before the ambush.
• The chapter concludes with Bai Zhu, Milluki, and Piyu trapped in the convoy as Old Scar’s team attempts to capture Bai Zhu alive.